A concealed carry purse is a purse with a separate, padded, zippered compartment holding a hook-and-loop holster, positioned so you can draw from the side or the top without opening the main bag. The difference between a good one and a bad one is whether the compartment is genuinely separate, whether the holster keeps the gun oriented, and whether the purse looks like a purse. This guide compares eight from Cameleon, who have made them for thirty years, including their Smith & Wesson licensed line, across price, size and style.
The purses
Cameleon Bella, $95.99
Vegan leather handbag or shoulder bag, 12 by 8.5 by 5 inches, with a two-sided concealed carry pocket on the front behind a heavy zipper, padded so the gun does not print. Orange, peach, black or deep chestnut. The best value in the line.
Cameleon Venus, $99.99
Compact quilted vegan leather with a half-flap and magnetic snap, a rear CCW pocket with 270-degree two-way zipper access, a holster included, and the Cameleon Tail for pepper spray. Maroon or light blue.
Cameleon Sage and Myla, $109.99
Medium vegan leather totes that convert to crossbody. The Sage's CCW compartment opens from the top-middle and the side; the Myla's ambidextrous pocket is on the side. Sage in green or black, Myla in black or white.
Cameleon Darcy, $119.99
Soft but structured, 13.5 by 8 by 5, with the personal protection compartment in the middle of the bag under a top zipper, padded both sides, holster included, and an adjustable crossbody strap. Wood or biscuit yellow.
Cameleon Lissa, $119.99
Hourglass handbag with a gold buckle, carries by the handle or crossbody, with the concealed compartment toward the back, side access plus a second entry inside the interior pocket. Black or red.
Smith & Wesson Slim Crossbody, $179.99
Leather crossbody with a rear ambidextrous CCW zipper pocket and phone pocket, magnetic front pocket, and a leather holster included.
Cameleon Sophia, $209.99
Vegetable-tanned leather saddle bag with an accordion design and hidden magnetic snap, from the Maia VT series. The one that ages into an heirloom. Mustard, red or denim blue.
How to choose
| Purse | Material | CCW access | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bella | Vegan leather | Front, two-sided | $95.99 |
| Venus | Vegan leather, quilted | Rear, 270° zipper | $99.99 |
| Sage / Myla | Vegan leather | Top and side / side | $109.99 |
| Darcy | Vegan leather | Middle, top zipper | $119.99 |
| Lissa | Vegan leather | Rear, side and interior | $119.99 |
| S&W Slim Crossbody | Leather | Rear, ambidextrous | $179.99 |
| Sophia | Vegetable-tanned leather | Rear | $209.99 |
Carrying in a purse
Off-body carry has one rule that outranks every feature: the bag stays on your body. A gun in a bag on a chair, in a cart, or on a car seat is a gun someone else can pick up. The second rule is that the gun lives in its own compartment, in a holster that covers the trigger, and nothing else goes in there. Crossbody, strap short, bag in front of the hip on your strong side. See the full concealed carry purse collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best concealed carry purse?
The Bella for value, the Darcy for everyday size, the Sophia for leather that lasts decades.
Do concealed carry purses come with a holster?
Yes. Every Cameleon bag includes an adjustable hook-and-loop holster.
Can I carry a full-size gun in a purse?
The Darcy, Mia and Amelia compartments fit a full-size pistol; the Venus and Bella are sized for compacts.
Are the straps cut-resistant?
Cameleon reinforces handles and straps with cut-resistant wiring on its bags.
Left-handed?
The compartments are ambidextrous.
The bottom line
Start with the Bella or the Darcy. Move to the Sophia if you want leather that will outlast the gun.
Related reading
Concealed carry for women: why a dedicated purse
Cameleon concealed carry purses: the lineup
Smith & Wesson concealed carry purses and totes
